SNAKE AND LACEWING FLIES 



The Snake Fly {Raphidia cognata), next claims atten- 

 tion, and is sometimes known as the Camel Fly. It 

 belongs to the Raphidiid<e. Between the head and 

 thorax there is a long " neck " which affords the insect 

 much freedom of movement. The popular name is 

 derived from the snake-like motion of the head and 

 neck. The adult haunts water, but the larva makes 

 its home under the bark of trees. The latter, as well 

 as the former, is somewhat of a contortionist, as it 

 throws its body into very curious attitudes. 



The Osmylidce are dehcate and beautiful insects of 

 wide distribution, one species of which {Osrnylus chrysops) 

 may be discovered in the New Forest, but we must 

 pass on to a closely allied family, the Chrysopidce, our 

 choice of species being the Lacewing Fly {Chrysopa 

 perla) (Fig. 26). The delicate green colour, and equally 



icj-.a6. Lacec^mq T\y. 



delicate structure, of the gauzy wings of this really 

 beautiful creature help to make it one of the loveliest 

 objects in Nature. Small wonder the names of Lace- 

 wing and Golden-Eyes should be conferred, as the 

 wonderful wings and bright golden, or coppery, eyes 



65 



